Summary
As one of the most affluent areas in London, Kensington epitomizes extraordinary wealth, adorned with boutiques, rows of refined townhouses, a royal palace, and numerous European embassies.
Kensington also serves as a remarkable cultural quarter, hosting three of the UK’s premier museums along a single street.
The Natural History Museum and Victoria & Albert Museum are recognized globally for their exceptional collections.
The V&A is part of a group of landmarks referred to as Albertopolis, honoring Victoria’s husband, Prince Albert, who passed away prematurely in 1861. The Royal Albert Hall is a magnificent concert hall known worldwide, situated opposite Kensington Gardens’ distinguished Albert Memorial.
Let us delve into the premier attractions in Kensington:
1. Victoria and Albert Museum
This museum is a haven for enthusiasts of fine craftsmanship, showcasing 5,000 years of decorative arts from Europe, North America, Asia, and North Africa.
The V&A boasts some of the world’s most distinguished collections of jewellery, metalwork, costumes, sculpture, ceramics, silver, glass, and printmaking.
Its East Asian collections are the most extensive in Europe, while its Islamic art collection is one of the largest in the Western World.
The museum’s intricate maze of corridors and galleries always reveals unexpected treasures, from a 15th-century Italian Cassone chest to an original Art Nouveau poster, an 18th-century bittern in ivory, a Mannerist picture frame, a 16th-century four-poster bed, a painting by John Constable, or a Bronze Age Irish collar.
The temporary exhibitions are frequently essential, such as the 2018 display of Frida Kahlo’s personal belongings and diary from the Casa Azul.
2. Natural History Museum
The second of the trio of world-renowned museums in South Kensington opened its doors in 1881 and is regarded as one of the globe’s foremost centers for natural history research.
The extensive collection encompasses mineralogy, entomology, botany, zoology, and palaeontology.
Many of the NHM’s 80 million specimens are also historical artifacts, having been gathered by notable figures such as Charles Darwin.
The architecture is noteworthy for its opulent Romanesque revival design, adorned with natural-themed motifs, and remarkable central hall.
This hall was historically dominated by a 32-meter replica of a diplodocus, known as Dippy, until it embarked on a national tour in 2018, replaced now by a genuine skeleton of a young blue whale.
Visitors often find themselves captivated by examining 10,000-year-old lichens, dinosaur fossils, decorative agate formed in gas bubbles from molten lava, a first edition of Darwin’s “Origin of Species,” and casts from Pompeii, among numerous other exhibits.
3. Science Museum
A single day is insufficient to fully appreciate the breadth of the Science Museum’s offerings.
The collection, consisting of 300,000 items, includes iconic machines such as Stephenson’s Rocket from 1829, Puffing Billy, the world’s oldest steam locomotive, and a functioning version of Charles Babbage’s Difference Engine.
Exhibits in the Energy Hall and Flight are merely a part of the Science Museum’s allure: it combines historical scientific artifacts relating to areas such as navigation, space exploration, and medicine with an interactive experience.
For example, the Wonderlab: The Equinor Gallery showcases the intriguing mathematics and science that influence our world, featuring over 50 interactive stations, presentations, and demonstrations.
Additionally, allocate some time for a 3D film at the IMAX theatre.
4. Holland Park
For many individuals, Holland Park (which shares its name with the surrounding district) is regarded as the finest of London’s green spaces.
Spanning 55.5 acres, it is the largest park in the borough, located on the estate of the now-ruined Jacobean Holland House, which once welcomed notable figures such as Lord Byron and Benjamin Disraeli.
The park was acquired by the London County Council in 1952, and the facade of the house became a refined backdrop for opera performances at the open-air Holland Park Theatre.
For tranquility and contemplation, the park features two Japanese gardens: one was gifted by the Chamber of Commerce of Kyoto in 1991, which includes a koi pond, bridge, and waterfall.
The other garden was established as a memorial to the 2012 Fukushima earthquake. In the 19th century, the second wife of the Resident Earl of Holland successfully planted the first dahlia seeds in England in this park.
5. Royal Albert Hall
A concert hall of grand proportions, the 5,272-seat Royal Albert Hall was constructed in memory of Prince Albert and inaugurated by Queen Victoria in 1871. This circular structure exemplifies the Italian Renaissance style, featuring a significant metal dome above a terracotta frieze that symbolizes the triumph of Art and Literature.
It would require extensive time to list the numerous cultural icons and celebrated musicians who have performed here over the past 150 years, but it is notable that Richard Wagner conducted a series of eight concerts in 1877, Sergei Rachmaninoff performed his Prelude in C-sharp minor in 1911, and Albert Einstein delivered a lecture in 1933. Since 1895, the Royal Albert Hall has hosted the Proms, an annual eight-week summer series of orchestral concerts, culminating in a patriotic UK-themed finale on the second Saturday of September.
6. Kensington Gardens
Originally the private grounds of Kensington Palace, this 270-acre green space is separated from Hyde Park by the Serpentine Lake.
Long before William and Mary redesigned Kensington Palace, this area served as a hunting ground for Henry VIII. Queen Caroline partitioned the gardens from Hyde Park in 1728, resulting in a landscape garden designed by Henry Wise and Charles Bridgeman.
Visitors can stroll along the stately plane avenues and introduce children to the Diana Playground.
Bold contemporary art and design can be found at the Serpentine Gallery, which will be explored later.
The significant sight near the Royal Albert Hall is the Albert Memorial, a tribute by Victoria to her husband, inaugurated in 1872, 11 years after his death.
Under a lavish Gothic Revival canopy designed by Sir George Gilbert Scott, a statue of the prince faces south towards the Royal Albert Hall.
7. Kensington Palace
Kensington Palace has served as a royal residence since the 17th century; it is a Jacobean mansion constructed in 1605, later expanded by Christopher Wren after its acquisition by William and Mary.
This palace currently functions as the official London residence for the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge (William and Kate) and the Duke and Duchess of Sussex (Harry and Meghan), among its many distinguished residents.
Visitors may enter to view the State Rooms, featuring exhibitions of paintings and treasures from the Royal Collection.
A long-term exhibition in 2018 showcased some of the most iconic outfits worn by Diana, Princess of Wales, alongside an intimate display about Queen Victoria.
This exhibit included privileged insights from her journal and a range of personal items, from childhood dolls to exquisite jewels bestowed by Prince Albert.
8. Design Museum
Established in 1989, the Design Museum relocated to the site of the Commonwealth Institute in Kensington in 2016, enhancing an already vibrant cultural hub.
The remarkable 1960s Modernist building has been remodeled to accommodate a 21st-century museum experience.
On the impressive upper floor, visitors can view the museum’s permanent exhibition dedicated to design and architecture, chronicling the history of mass production.
Noteworthy pieces in the 3,000-item collection include the Vespa, Saarinen tulip chair, Dieter Rams SK5 Phonosuper, and the Singer sewing machine.
Recent temporary exhibitions on the ground floor have explored California’s mid-century Modernism, 21st-century political campaign posters, Cartier watches, and the legacy of Ferrari.
9. Serpentine Galleries
Located within Kensington Gardens, the Serpentine Galleries comprise two contemporary art spaces, the larger of which occupies the park’s former tearoom, established in the 1930s.
Since 1970, it has hosted exhibitions from esteemed figures in modern and contemporary art, including Andy Warhol, Henry Moore, Anish Kapoor, and Damien Hirst.
In 2013, the Serpentine Sackler Gallery was inaugurated just five minutes away across the Serpentine Lake, within a former gunpowder store built in 1805, which features an extension designed by Zaha Hadid.
Moreover, the Serpentine Galleries are known for the Pavilion, a temporary summer structure crafted each year by an international architect who has yet to complete a project in England.
Notable past architects include Frank Gehry, Jean Nouvel, Olafur Eliasson, Oscar Niemeyer, Zaha Hadid, Daniel Liebeskind, and Rem Koolhaas.
10. Leighton House Museum
Often referred to as a “palace of art,” this location allows entrance to the only purpose-built studio-house accessible to the public in the UK. The noted painter and sculptor Frederic, Lord Leighton, commissioned architect George Aitchison to design this complex in the 1860s, with extensions continuing over the following 30 years until the artist’s passing.
The understated exterior features bright red Suffolk bricks, complemented by corbels and lintels in Caen stone.
This façade belies the opulent interiors, filled with classical antiquities.
Experience the breathtaking Arab Hall in the eastern extension, adorned with a golden dome, intricate mosaics, and vibrant Islamic tiles.
Proceed to Leighton’s expansive painting studio, where he entertained notable guests, including Queen Victoria, who visited in 1859.
11. Knightsbridge
For those looking to indulge, there is no faster place to spend your wealth than Knightsbridge.
This affluent shopping district is renowned for its luxury, with two celebrated department stores, Harrods (established in 1834) and Harvey Nichols (opened in 1831), being essential stops. Although synonymous with upscale fashion, cosmetics, and fine jewelry, they are also famous for their exceptional food halls.
If visiting during the Advent season, Harrods’ Christmas Grotto is a much-anticipated tradition dating back to 1955, while the toy department, now on the 4th floor, is a paradise for children.
A fun fact about Harrods is that it introduced England’s first escalators in 1898, offering a shot of brandy to passengers following their experience! The renowned classical music venue, Cadogan Hall, is also located here, hosting Saturday matinees and Monday chamber music concerts during the Proms.
12. Saatchi Gallery
The gallery established by advertising mogul Charles Saatchi has moved around London since its inception in 1985, eventually settling at the Georgian Duke of York’s Headquarters on King’s Road.
Initially a haven for contemporary art enthusiasts, the Saatchi Gallery now hosts some of the capital’s most frequented art exhibitions.
Many showcased artists come from obscurity in the UK, providing a platform for emerging talent; the curators could be viewed as arbiters of taste, launching many careers in the process.
This trend was notably seen with the Young British Artists, led by Damien Hirst in the 1990s.
In summer 2018, the exhibition “Known Unknowns” showcased works from a new generation, while “Dancing with Colour” featured 20th-century artist Berenice Sydney’s paintings available for sale.
13. Notting Hill
This district, characterized by its colorful townhouses, quaint side streets, and independent shops, gained fame through the eponymous film featuring Hugh Grant and Julia Roberts.
Since then, this previously unkempt enclave, located just north of Kensington, has transformed into one of London’s most desirable neighborhoods, a favored location for the affluent.
It reflects a notable departure from the race riots of 1958, evolving into the vibrant culture that initiated the Notting Hill Carnival.
Now in its sixth decade, this one of the world’s largest street festivals takes place during the August bank holiday.
Throughout the year, visitors can explore iconic sites such as the Trellick Tower, an emblem of Brutalist architecture, and England’s oldest purpose-built cinema, the Electric Cinema, established in 1911.
14. Portobello Road Market
Embrace the crowds on Saturdays for a half-mile-long antiques market on this historic street weaving through Notting Hill.
Similar to many attractions listed here, Portobello Road, with its Victorian terraced houses and blue doors, has achieved global recognition.
The street has inspired numerous films, including Paddington Bear, Bedknobs and Broomsticks, and the iconic Notting Hill (1999). The eclectic variety of items available ranges from invaluable decorative arts to quirky odds and ends and unique collectibles.
The southern section of Notting Hill showcases more expensive offerings, while vintage clothing and whimsical home decor can be discovered towards Ladbroke Grove.
For a leisurely experience, visit on a Friday when the atmosphere is more relaxed, and sample Jamaican burgers, tapas, or Malaysian street food.
15. Kensington High Street
Another of London’s cherished shopping destinations, Kensington High Street continues to thrive even after the opening of the colossal Westfield mall in Shepherd’s Bush in 2008. The Whole Foods Market deserves mention for its presence here.
This American retailer established an organic superstore on the high street in 2007, offering an array of dining options including stone-baked pizza, Asian-fusion noodles, premium tacos, and sushi.
Situated atop the Art Deco former Derry & Toms department store (constructed in 1930) is the 1.5-acre Kensington Roof Gardens, which featured a nightclub and restaurant boasting an English woodland garden, a Tudor-style formal garden, and a Spanish garden reflecting Moorish elements inspired by Alhambra.
As of 2018, this venue has closed after more than 35 years of operation, yet it is anticipated to reopen shortly.
